Joe Rogers: Thank you. Thankyouverymuch.

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What a world of difference a simple expression of gratitude can make. If "I love you" is the most important three-word combination in life, then "Thank you" is at or near the top for two words, along with "I'm sorry."

The fact is, most of us in this day and time, and particularly in this country, have much to be thankful about. If you're of a mind toward a belief in the Almighty of whatever sort, a "Thank you" offered at the start and the end of the day is a pretty good ritual to follow.

On a more earthly plane, I've found that on most days at least one of my fellow human beings does something worthy of thanks. If you're lucky enough to have a spouse, that's where it probably starts. But friends, co-workers — even strangers — have a way of playing the role.

And if you're like me, you're probably way behind on thanking them for it. In the Recovery Movement, Step 8 asks that followers make a list of people they have harmed, and make amends to them if possible. (The title character in the TV series "My Name Is Earl" used this same theme in his pursuit of good karma, to fine comedic effect.)

I should probably make a different kind of list — all the people who have done a good turn of one type or another that I didn't acknowledge — and then track them down and express my appreciation.

For example: Thank you, Diocese of Biloxi, for informing me that in the eyes of the Catholic Church a certain marriage never really took place. Can you get the State of Mississippi to say the same?

In addition to the general benefit to the soul for all involved in a thank you, there can also be practical — which is to say financial — payback.

I'm familiar with the case of a young man who, because he showed indifference to a rather sizable gift from his godmother upon his high school graduation, has now been cut out of a will that was going to have provided him 20 times that amount.

He is not aware of this loss, which is a bit of a shame. It's hard to be taught a lesson by something that you don't know won't happen.

On a personal note, a couple of months ago I made a donation to a Mississippi organization. Not a huge one — my lottery tickets steadfastly refuse to match the winning numbers — but a donation all the same.

For my effort, I got not only a receipt from the organization for tax purposes, but also a handwritten note from the executive director, AND a handwritten note from the wife of the person in whose honor the donation was given.

Made me want to send "You're welcome!" notes to all concerned — and to wonder whether card makers produce one.

Flip side: Some years ago I made a donation in memory of my cat Clouseau, sending a check to a Mississippi animal organization that I had written about and had dealings with in the past.

It seemed fitting that a tribute to Clouseau — like me a native Mississippian geographically far removed — should benefit our home state. And this is what I heard back from that organization in response to my gift:

Zip. Nary a word.

Want to guess which of those two organizations is likely to get a second donation from me?

Joe Rogers, a native of Moss Point, is a staff editor for The New York Times. He lives in New Hyde Park, N.Y., and can be reached at jrogink@gmail.com and on Twitter, @jrogink.